You Had Me at Coffee

Posted on Thu Jul 31st, 2025 @ 2:07pm by Captain M'Raz & Lieutenant John Doe & Lieutenant H'iri & Lieutenant Michael Harris & Kenneth Hunt

1,123 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Admiral Ambition and the Borg
Location: Bridge | Deck 1 | USS Jane Addams
Timeline: MD004 - 1925

"I need some kind of map of the Jane Addams, deck by deck," Raz said. "I want to start mapping out areas that aren't venting to space, where there's enough air to live on so we can get our people together." He turned toward Hunt and Vespertine, who had just made it to the Bridge, "and you two, track down McEntyre and Reeves. Tell them to grab EVA suits and get back up here."

"Aye sir," Hunt responded.

"Clarke, H'iri," Raz said, "I want your people to help with the assessment." His uniform was torn in several places and there was a gash across his left bicep that was bleeding slightly. He ignored it all and focused instead on the things that mattered. "Deck by deck. Section by section. First priority is the safety of our people, second to that, is finding out ..."

The familiar shimmer of a Federation transporter beam caught his attention and he turned, moving to the nearest compartment where phasers were stored and pulled one out, training it on the the form solidifying before them. After a moment, the slim form of Daniel Mazurski appeared, hands spread out, palms up, to indicate (he hoped) his peaceful intentions.

"Lieutenant Daniel Mazurski," he said, "Deep Space Repair Beta Two. We got caught your distress beacon. Couldn't raise you so we figured your comms are out. Anyways, we have a repair ship here and we're going to tow you to our base. If that's alright with you, Captain?"

"You're something of a miracle," Raz said as he lowered the phaser. "And after the day we've had, I'm not inclined to put a lot of trust in miracles."

"Fair enough," Mazurski answered. "But we're legit and from what we can see, this ship isn't going to last much longer. Now, we've got a base, safety, and plenty of room for you and your crew. What do you say?"

H'iri told Raz, "If we lose hope in miracles, then we have no hope for the Federation. We have to keep the faith. Level by level, I will traverse this ship and find the status for you, if I have to scratch and claw just to get down there."

Taggart sat at the helm, watching the activity. He looked to his captain for orders.

"We can put a tractor beam on you," Mazurski said, as he turned toward H'iri with a smile on his face that brought a slight growl rumbling through Raz's chest. "But we don't have the room to take on your whole crew. Permission to take you to safety, Captain?"

"Permission granted," Raz said. "Make it happen. Taggart, you have the Bridge. I'm going to help with the rescue efforts."

"Aye, Sir. ETA two hours," Mazurski said as he tapped his commbadge. "Engage tractor beam."

After the engineer beamed away, Taggart stood up from his console and made his way to the big chair. Outside of a few classes back at the Academy, this was the first time he had ever sat in the center seat. He lowered his frame down into the plush leather, feeling the seat cushion conform to his body. He felt a bit speechless, to be honest, but, he would do his best, insuring the Captain did not come to regret his decision.

Looking at the petty officer who had taken over for him at the helm, he stated evenly, "As soon as the tractor beam is activated ad locked onto us, shut down all propulsion."

The petty officer, a young female Bolian, nodded her understanding of Taggart's order.

Michael manned the science station and had the sensors running as best as they could. He wanted to have any warning, anything that they could get should these Borg show up again. At the moment there was nothing out there save for a quasar. This was something that brought a smile the his face. It seemed like it had been quite a long time since he did some actual science. He addressed Taggart in the command chair. "Lieutenant, I have found a quasar within what is left of sensor range. Permission to keep track of it for as long as possible. It would be nice to see something of the unknown."

Taggart looked over at the science officer and nodded. When he did so, he felt a stabbing pain in his head. Grimacing in pain for a few beats, he slowed his breathing, then replied. "Go...go ahead. The more information we have....on the surrounding area...the...the better prepared....prepared we can be." Now that a semi-safe feeling started to wash over the crew, his body started to notify him of his various injuries. When the Captain came to relieve him, he would go to sickbay. For now though, he had a duty to perform, and he would do so.

"Thank you sir..." Michael began and would have said more but he noticed the wince in pain from Lieutenant Taggart. "Tracking now and storing all data in the computer core. Lieutenant are you okay? Shall I summon someone from Sick Bay?"

Taggart nodded slightly as he replied. "I'm fine for now. Just a headache. I'll go to sickbay when there's time." He closed his eyes and took in a few slow breaths. His head still hurt, where he smacked it earlier. However, they were already short-handed, so sickbay would just have to wait for now.

[On Board the Repair Ship]

Back on his own ship again, Mazurski slipped into the pilot's seat and brought the ship into position. "Engaging tractor beam. You got that Commander?"

On Deep Space Beta Two, Anders answered at once. "Got it. Bring her in space frame 2. Waking everyone up. We'll be ready for you. Anders out." He opened communications base-wide. "We've got a severely damaged ship coming in. Not the Yamaguchi but they're in bad way and from the looks of her, there's bound to be wounded. Someone get the Med Bay up and running and I'll need someone on the transporter as well."

The responses started coming in, one after the other, some promptly and a few more slowly, their voices still fogged with sleep. Professionals every one and no one was asking the question that was on everyone's mind -- where was the Captain and the Yamaguchi?

[Back On Board the Jane Addams]

In the hands of the repair ship, the Jane Addams, cradled in the embrace of the tractor beam, was moving again; the ship, unable to move on its own, was held together almost by will power alone. As the crew onboard worked to gather their own, the repair base, with its skeletal staff, was working full out to prepare for the incoming emergency.

 

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